What is Friends Against Scams?

Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards Scams Team initiative which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to... 'Take a Stand Against Scams.'

Friends Against Scams is designed to inspire action, highlight the scale of the problem, change the perceptions of why people fall for scams and make scams a community, regional and national topic.

By attending a Friends Against Scams awareness session or completing the online learning, anyone can learn about the different types of scams and how to spot and support a victim. With increased knowledge and awareness, people can make scams part of everyday conversation with their family, friends and neighbours, which will enable them to protect themselves and others.

Anyone can be a Friend Against Scams and make a difference in their own way.

Awareness Sessions

Friends Against Scams awareness sessions are run by SCAMchampions, who are trained and supported by the NTS Scams Team. Each 45 minute awareness session is fun and interactive and a chance to meet other people who want to '"Take a Stand Against Scams".

Alternatively, complete the online learning session, which can be done in the comfort of your own home, at work or wherever, is most convenient for you. The online learning is also interactive, so you will be able to learn about scams in a fun way. Complete the online learning here.

Friends' Pledges

As a Friend Against Scams you will be asked to turn the knowledge you have gained about scams into action in order to "Take a Stand Against Scams".

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Tell five people about the Friends Against Scams initiative.

Educate and talk to people about scams.

Share your Friends Against Scams status on social media.

Look out for people who are at risk of being a scam victim in your community.

Actively support your local fight against scams by setting up or taking part in scam awareness activity or event in your local area.

Make a difference to someone's life by getting in touch and staying in touch, with someone who has been a victim of a scam.

Display a poster in the window of your home to show your neighbours that you're part of Friends Against Scams and to promote the initiative.

Challenge attitudes about scam victims and help to stamp out the stigma of this commonly misunderstood problem by talking about scams and influencing people to consider scams from a different point of view.